When running in 2010, Scott said the evidence he’d seen did not convince him that climate change was occurring. He has changed that position somewhat without taking a position on the issue, now saying, "I am not a scientist." Scott also points to environmental accomplishments of his administration, such as efforts to reduce flooding in coastal areas.

But Scott has not advocated reductions in air pollution and other changes that many scientists say are essential to slowing down climate change.

Scott's likely opponent, former Gov. Charlie Crist, has an aggressive record relating to climate change. He backed the creation of a state climate change action plan, supported a mandate to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars, opposed coal-fired power plants and advocated for expanding Florida's renewable energy sources.

Crist is direct on the issue, writing last month on his Facebook page: "Climate change is real, it's man-made, and it's hurting our Florida."

A gubernatorial debate over global warming is likely to resonate in a state that is the most vulnerable in the nation to the implications of climate change, including rising sea levels along a 1,200-mile coastline.

Questions about Florida’s direction on the issue intensified last week when President Barack Obama put out a 645-page plan that relies heavily on each state to come up with plans to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent. Under Obama's initiative, states must, within the next two to four years, come up with a plan to reach that goal.

Florida does not have as far to go as many other states to reach that goal becaus the state is not heavily reliant on coal-fired power plants. Nearly 70 percent of its electrity comes from natural gas. The Georgetown University climate center said Florida has cut its carbon emissions 15 percent between 2005 and 2012. About 20 percent of Florida's power came from coal in 2012.

As governor in 2007, Crist embraced the concepts of climate change, held a global-warming conference with the former California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and backed a number of measures to address the topic, including a bid to impose mileage standards on new cars.

"Drought, endangered agriculture, violent storms and changing sea levels and their impact on Florida's economy -- these are just a few of the reasons why we must take action," Crist said at the 2007 conference.

Crist created a state Energy and Climate Commission, which developed an energy and climate action plan in 2008.

He backed state standards for lower emissions from automobiles, although the Legislature blocked its implementation. The standards were later supplanted by federal emission goals under Obama.

Crist's policies also include a provision for using a cap and trade system to limit greenhouse gas emissions by other industries. And he had an ambitious agenda to promote the development of renewable energy sources, including solar, in the state.

He was an outspoken critic of coal-fired power plants, leading the effort to block construction of a facility in the Everglades.

"Crist put a spike into coal-fired power plants in Florida permanently," said Eric Draper, a lobbyist for Florida Audubon.

Draper also gave Crist credit for appointing members of the state Public Service Commission, which oversees the utility industry, who were open to climate change issues and who could promote an conservation agenda.

"I would say that energy and climate was one of the hallmarks of Crist's leadership when he was governor," Draper said.

In his first year in office, Scott backed legislation abolishing the Energy and Climate Change Commission. Environmental critics say he has made little effort to formally address the challenges of climate change.

"In the last four years little to nothing has been done to look at climate change or advance energy efficiency and renewables in the state of Florida," said Susan Glickman, state director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. "And some of the good things that have been done in the previous administration have been undone."

Scott says his record shows he is engaged.

"Well, I'm not a scientist. But let's talk about what we've done," Scott told reporters in South Florida last month. "Through our Division of Emergency Management -- the last few years, three years -- we put about, I think, $120 million to deal with flooding around our coast.

“We also put a lot of money into our natural treasures, the Everglades, trying to make sure all the water flows south. So we're dealing with all the issues we can."

Although he concurs that Scott has done little on global warming initiatives during his four years in office, Draper said there have been some efforts. For instance, the Department of Economic Opportunity has promoted "coastal resiliency" in meetings and workshops, with the idea that the state and local communities can take steps to mitigate coastal flooding.

Last month, Scott and the state Cabinet unanimously backed Florida Power & Light's plan for two new nuclear generators at the Turkey Point complex in Miami-Dade County.

Draper said the use of nuclear plants, which are opposed by some environmental advocates, is a major part of the Obama administration's new rules calling for lower greenhouse gas emissions from power plants across the nation.

"You have to give credit for that being a non-carbon fuel," Draper said.

However, Scott, who has made job creation and economy the top goal of his administration, has largely sided with business advocates who question whether stronger rules on greenhouse gases and other conservation policies will result in higher costs to consumers and potential job losses.

Tom Feeney, head of the Associated Industries of Florida, said his group opposes the Obama administration's latest effort to impose new emission standards on power plants.

"These new onerous regulations will weigh down businesses and make it more difficult for them to expand here in Florida and across our nation," he said.

Democrats may use the contrasting climate change positions between Scott and Crist to rally the party's voters in the fall. Billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer has already announced that his SuperPAC, NextGen Climate Action, will be targeting Scott in the November elections.

Scott can expect a negative attack similar to what the group used on former Virginia Gov. Ken Cuccinelli, who was labeled an "anti-science" climate change "denier" in his losing re-election bid last year.

"Rick Scott's insistence on denying climate change, keeping utility rates high and halting job creation from renewable energy is a clear contrast between him and Governor Crist -- and one that we will highlight," said Kevin Cate, a spokesman for Crist's campaign.

However, neutral observers say while the contrasts may be great, it may not be the foremost issue among voters as they head to the polls this fall.

"It's probably going to be dwarfed by several other bigger issues," said Aubrey Jewett, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida. Among the more pressing issues, Jewett said he expects the economy, jobs and education to garner more attention among the electorate.

"It may motivate some small percentage of voters who are quite concerned about the environment more so than any other issue," Jewett said about climate change. "But for the average Floridian that's probably not the issue they're going to set their vote on.”

Lloyd Dunkelberger

Lloyd Dunkelberger is the Htpolitics.com Capital Bureau Chief.
He can be reached by email or call 850 556-3542.
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Last modified: June 7, 2014
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